Key factors to consider before choosing Specialized Disability Accommodation

With as many as 5 million Australians living with all types of disabilities, there has been a constant need for appropriate housing facilities that support the needs of these people. In Australia, families usually helped their loved ones choose specific SDA houses that meet specific support needs. There are several factors that needs to be considered when it comes to choosing SDA housing. The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is the regulatory body that is in charge of this program. This is why it is important to understand how to go about choosing the right facilities for disabled people. With the right information or guide, this process can be complicated and daunting. We have put together this guide to help you understand this NDIS programmed as well as choosing the right SDA that meet your needs or those of your loved ones.

All about NDIS housing 

If you are in Australia and you have a disability or an impairment, you can get an NDIS housing facility that will help you to live an independent and fulfilled life. This also goes for those people who have a need for support services. Rather than live in a place where you do not feel comfortable, you can choose the right SDA according to your needs. The NDIS programme allows you to choose the location of your house as well as your house mates. When it comes to disability housing considerations, people love to consider a range of elements such as:

• The location of the SDA property 
• The amenities that are contained in the SDA
• The services that are nearby the SDA facility 
• The general appeal of the surrounding environment

It is important to always choose a great location for your SDA because this goes a long way to increase the independence of the disabled person. It also helps them develop stronger connections with the local community while making them to easily access informal networks for all types of support. It is important to always give a lot of thought when it comes to choosing appropriate SDA housing as this can go a long way to impacting the quality of your life. 

Choosing the best specialized disability accommodation: Key factors to consider 

When it comes to getting the right housing for your support needs, you have to go about this the right way. This is because there are several important factors for SDA selection that you have to know about. It is important to carefully consider these factors so that you will end up with the best option for you. In the following section, we will break down all the important factors to consider before you take the plunge and choose a specific SDA for your needs. 

1. What type of SDA facility are you looking for?

SDA housing units differ in terms of the building components and support features. Many of these houses are designed and modified to provide tailored SDA services for disabled people. This means that all SDAs differ in terms of functionality and design as they are meant to cater to certain people with peculiar disabilities. This is what you should be considering when choosing one for yourself. In this regard, the factors to consider are:

(a) The design category of the SDA housing unit: You should be sure that you choose the appropriate SDA according to the plans of the NDIS. There is an NDIS plan that will help you choose the right SDA that provides you with the support you need to function independently as a disabled person. Depending on your care needs, there are several SDA facilities that are available to you under the NDIS design categories. These are robust, high physical support, fully accessible, improved livability, and the basic options. 

(b) The type of assistive technology available in the property: When it comes to choosing an SDA for your needs, you want to make sure that you choose the most appropriate option that comes with the right assistive technology. Assistive technologies are special additions to SDAs as they allow the building residents to easily perform their everyday activities and routines. Assistive technologies go a long way in helping disabled people to live a more independent and fulfilled life. AT usually consist of modern communication devices that establishes clear connections between the disabled person and their support teams. Some AT devices are simple mechanisms that may be used to control the lighting conditions of an SDA housing unit. Then again, there are some that can be used to control window coverings, and so on. Lastly, you also have AT devices that act as automated devices such as door openers, fans, and so on.

(c) Space: When choosing an SDA for your needs, you want to make sure that there is enough space. If you have a specious house, this means that you have ample room that allows you to easily move with comfort around your home. Many NDIS-approved Specialised Disability Accommodation providers know just how to design the right SDA with adequate spatial provisions based on the needs of the various people in the facility. For example, it is common to get SDA apartments that have been designed to come with spacious bathrooms, bedrooms, hallways, or doorways. Spacious SDAs are meant to prioritise the accessibility of the property while also catering to the needs of people on wheelchairs. In this regard, you may also want to consider an SDA that has elaborate storage spaces to accommodate your needs. You can easily come across many SDAs that have spacious storage compartments for your belongings.

2. Consider the funding requirements for your SDA

People who qualify to get SDA funding usually get financial support which helps with covering the extra costs that come with this type of specialised housing facility. It is important to consider this cost in addition to your regular expenses like rent, bills, and food. Then again, it is important for SDA applicants to consider contributing a certain amount of money to pay for house rent. It is usually about 25% of their Disability Support Pension.

3. Choosing to live alone or with other people

One of the benefits of the SDA housing programme under the NDIS is that people get to choose how they want to live. This means that there are options for them to live alone or choose to live with other people. SDA applicants have the freedom to choose the specific living arrangement that caters to their support needs. There is the option to live alone as well as living with other people. Both options are good but come with their benefits and downsides. However, it is up to you to choose what works for you best. If you choose to live with other people, just know that the advantages include:

• You get to meet new people 
• You are immersed in a new community which gives you a sense of belonging.
• You get to share the cost that comes with the support services you receive.

On the flip side, there are some disadvantages that come with living with other people:

• When making decisions, you usually rely on other people
• You get to share your living space with others which could mean a loss of privacy.

On the other hand, if you fancy your privacy and prefer to go the solo route, it comes with its benefits and downsides too. The advantages of living all by yourself include:

• You are fully independent
• You have your home all to yourself and do as you like.
• You get to choose your lifestyle without anyone making this decision for you.

Also, there are disadvantages of living all by yourself. These includes:

• You may be lonely.
• You have limited contact and interaction with other people most of the times. 
• You get to bear the full cost of the SDA facility. 
• You make difficult decisions all by yourself.

4. Choosing an SDA with a suitable location

As a participant, if you want long-term well-being and happiness, you will have to choose an SDA that is in a suitable location. This means choosing a neigubourhood that is safe. In addition, you want to choose an SDA that is closer to all the support systems you will be using. In this case, consider the following factors:

Safety: It is important that you choose an SDA that is in a safe neigubourhood. As a person that relies on support, you can live freely in a safe neitghbourhood without been afraid of anything. 

Public transport: If you use public transport as a way to move around the city, you may want to choose an SDA that is close to this facility. Doing this can help improve the quality of your lifestyle as it makes things a lot easier. 

Shopping centre: It is convenient to live very close to a shopping centre because this makes it easy for you to access stores, chemists, restaurants, and so on.

Medical facility: It is important to live close to a hospital in the case of medical emergencies.